With the weather mild enough to hit the links (well, almost), it’s time to take a look at the latest advancements in the world of golf gear. From spike-free shoes and friction-free tees to fancy putters and fancier club bags, we’ll separate the good buys from the gimmicks. We’ve even found two new uses for your smartphone on the course: an app that analyzes your swing and shows you on-screen data reports, and a service that lets you summon the beer cart by scanning a QR code.
Oakley Cipher Shoe
Light and spikeless aren’t words often associated with golf shoes. But those two features are the key attributes of the Cipher, Oakley’s new golf shoe ($130). It weighs only 260 grams (about 9.2 ounces) and lets you walk around without the traditional turf spikes, thanks to Oakley’s NanoSpike cleatless technology. Thousands of tiny traction spikes are arranged on replaceable, hoof-shaped pads. In my testing, the traction on the grass felt as it would with spikes. The shoes will be available in April.
WIRED Extremely lightweight. Handsome. Comfortable fit with plenty flexibility on the sides of the foot. NanoSpike pads are easily removed by hand for cleaning or replacement. Sand does not stick in the NanoSpike areas (and I had plenty of opportunities to confirm that).
TIRED No good for rainy or cold weather. May want a shoe with more stability and support if you plan on taking lots of swings, particularly on the driving range. NanoSpike replacements cost $20.